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Book blogger spotlight: Genie in a Book

20 April 2017   Books+Publishing
@booksandpublishing

Eugenia Alabasinis’ blog Genie in a Book began in 2014 with a sole focus on YA novels, but has since expanded to include a range of adult fiction. Alabasinis spoke to Books+Publishing for our ‘Book blogger spotlight’ series.

Describe your blog in under 50 words.

Genie in a Book is a blog about all things bookish, featuring a range of both YA and adult fiction. It’s a space to find reviews of what I’ve been reading, discussions with authors and special features highlighting what’s new on the shelves.  

What makes your blog unique?

Overall, I think what makes any blog different from the rest is that each person behind it has their own unique voice to share their thoughts. My blog has evolved since it first began, reflecting how my reading habits have changed over time. Bringing in a fresh design and branching out of a sole focus on YA novels has meant I’m able to explore other genres as well. There’s a particular emphasis on fiction by Australian writers, especially from my #LoveOzYA favourites.

When and how did you get started?

My first exposure to the blogging community was through Goodreads and Twitter. These were great places to interact with other readers, facilitating the opportunity to co-blog before launching my own. And so in 2014 I started Genie in a Book—a place to share my passion for books with others and to get the word out about authors whose stories I’ve enjoyed.

How do you find out about new books?

I keep track of publishers’ new book catalogues, and am fortunate to be sent review copies of upcoming releases. Sometimes I’ll see other bloggers recommending books on social media which also draws my attention. Alongside this, working in a bookstore and seeing new titles arrive inevitably results in a to-read pile that is constantly growing!

What audience do you reach?

My main audience is a mix of teens and young adults, although some of my posts also appeal to older readers. The majority of my total visitors are from Australia, though there’s also a large portion from the US and UK too.

What other book blogs do you regularly follow?

There are so many brilliant book blogs out there to choose from. A few that I find myself often visiting include:

What has been your most popular post?
My discussion on ‘5 things to do if you come across a non-reader’ and thoughts on why reading remains relevant in today’s age (‘why the art of reading lives on’) have both received large responses. Even though technology holds such a prevalent role in our lives, it’s nice to know that turning the pages of a gripping read is still something people appreciate.

What’s your favourite social media platform—and what recent trends in social media have you noticed in book blogging?

Twitter and Instagram are both platforms which have helped me discover bloggers and authors I hadn’t come across before. The #LoveOzYA movement is quickly gaining momentum across the bookish community which is amazing to see. Our local authors have so much talent that deserves to be recognised!

What are you reading now?

These days I’m usually reading a couple of books at once. I’ve almost finished The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel (Hodder & Stoughton) and have just started Miss Lily’s Lovely Ladies by my all-time favourite author Jackie French (HarperCollins).

 

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Category: Daily Newsletter Feature Features